Page 2: Enzyme Mechanism and Specificity

This page explores the detailed mechanism of enzyme action and the concept of enzyme specificity. The enzymatic reaction process is broken down into two distinct steps.

Definition: The enzyme-substrate complex formation involves:

1. Initial binding between enzyme and substrate
2. Catalytic activation converting substrate to product

Highlight: The enzyme's structure is crucial for its function, with any modifications potentially affecting its activity.

Example: The enzyme-substrate interaction involves:

• Recognition site amino acids that bind to the substrate
• Catalytic site amino acids that react with the substrate

Vocabulary:

• Active site: The region of the enzyme where substrate binding and catalysis occur
• Weak bonds: Non-covalent interactions that help maintain enzyme-substrate complex

Page 1: Enzyme Fundamentals and Catalytic Conditions

This page introduces the fundamental concepts of enzymes and their catalytic properties. Enzymes are biological molecules, specifically proteins, that act as biocatalysts to speed up chemical reactions while remaining unchanged after the reaction.

Definition: An enzyme is a biological molecule (protein) that accelerates the rate of a chemical reaction at low concentrations while remaining intact after the reaction.

The page details the conditions necessary for enzymatic catalysis, including:

Highlight: Enzyme activity is measured by the number of substrate molecules transformed per enzyme molecule per unit time.

Example: Optimal conditions for enzyme activity include:

• Specific pH (pH optimal)
• Optimal temperature (thermal optimum)
• Substrate/enzyme concentration ratios

Vocabulary:

• Biocatalyst: A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed
• Substrate: The molecule upon which an enzyme acts